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Medical journal publishes review of bridge response

(AP) - While emergency responders have been praised
for the way they rescued victims of the Interstate 35W bridge
collapse, a review published in a medical journal says several
things could be improved in response to future disasters.

The review, published in a special edition of Disaster Medicine
and Public Health Preparedness, was written by seven local authors,
including Dr. John Hick, assistant medical director of EMS services
at Hennepin County Medical Center.

The article notes several issues.

First off, the article says, first-responders didn't use
flotation devices to enter the river after the Aug. 1, 2007
collapse. Local ambulances now carry such devices.

In addition, ambulance crews didn't have enough neck collars and
splints to secure patients for transport. Rescuers also didn't have
enough morphine for the injured.

And, while civilian rescuers were helpful in the first 15
minutes, they later slowed down rescuers who had to account for
their safety. The article said pickup trucks were effective, but
not ideal, for moving moderately injured patients from the river
basin.

Also, most rescuers didn't tell dispatchers when their
ambulances arrived at the scene. And most also didn't identify
their destination hospitals, creating confusion over the number and
whereabouts of victims.

And afterward, many rescuers were overwhelmed and experienced
mental health problems.

"Symptoms of insomnia, anorexia, hypervigilance, irritability,
and nightmares were experienced by many responders following the
incident," the study noted, "(including the authors)."